Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Tolt Yarn and Wool, my favorite yarn shop. In 2013, Anna Dianich opened Tolt Yarn and Wool. a local yarn shop in Carnation Washington. Most recently she launched an online shop, full of yarns each with their own story and each handpicked by Anna. You couldn’t ask for more soul when it comes to a yarn shop. Visit toltyarnandwool.com

Fiber folk 1: Emily and Tatyana are two natural dyers, farmers, business partners and makers who created the wonderful company, Local Color Fiber Studio. Together they’ve been discovering and building a sustainable business and process around natural dyeing and raising Finn sheep. You can find them at localcolorfiberstudio.com and on Instagram @localcolorfiberstudio

Man on the street: For this week’s “Man on the Street” I asked a handful of fiber enthusiasts to answer the following question, “What other types of things outside fiber crafts, do you enjoy making?” We had some amazing replies from Carly @porcupineology, Nikki @woolenviolet, Amber @dapperewe, Maria @ninja.chickens and Sam @samanthamaylamb .

Fiber folk 2: I was introduced to our next guest via a listener and was excited to learn that they are one of the only, if not the only US manufacturer of wood knitting needles and crochet hooks. Chris Barnes and his wife Michri have carried on a family legacy and business, while focusing on creating a nimble and sustainable operation. The heart and passion they put into making a quality product and a satisfied customer is so very evident. You can find them online at brittanyneedles.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/brittanyneedlesUSA

This giveaway this week is sponsored by Brittany, and we’re giving away a pair of their beautiful wood knitting needles along with their brand new needle wax, which helps maintain the finish and slickness of your wooden needles. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment below.

I wanted to bring your attention to an important event, Grazing for Change, taking place at Chico State on Feb 27th and 28th. Grazing for Change is an essential event for farmers and ranchers seeking new tools and practices to cope with drought, rising costs of production, and pasture availability. Small scale and urban farmers, consumers, students and anyone working to make sustainable decisions in their lives will benefit. It is hosted by Chico State University College of Agriculture, the Jefferson Center for Holistic Management and the Savory Institute. This conference is a great way to connect with a crowd dedicated to and passionate about local food, farming and ranching culture and regenerative agriculture. You can find more info at jeffersonhub.com

wow, I found your site and instagram last week and ‘am already ‘into’ your podcasts. Just finished listening the 10th. Going to listen to this one right away. So interesting! Thank you so much! Oh, and I’ve never seen such pretty needles before!

I’m excited to listen to the latest episode and glad to learn about another US-made needle company. DyakCraft also makes all of their needles in the US and they make interchangeables, to boot. I’m looking forward to checking out Brittany’s needles next!

This episode was so fun. I always feel so inspired listening to people talk about their forays into natural dyes. I haven’t taken the plunge yet, but the more I hear about it, the more I want to try my hand.

this was such an enjoyable podcast and a rich tapestry of agriculture,animal husbandry,the
art of woodturning and creating.so very encouraging for so many who are trying to blend their life passion with a sustainable livlihood.community is essential..thank you for helping all to live their dream.

I may have the inspiration I need from this podcast to finally plant the package of Japanese indigo seeds I was given a few years ago by another participant in a natural dyeing class. I also appreciated the reference to farmer’s markets — I live in downtown Toronto, yet was able to buy a sheep’s fleece from my local farmer’s market which I’m having so much fun working with! As much as I’d love to have access to my own piece of land, it is remarkable how resources do exist in one’s community — urban or rural — allowing one to be engaged in so many aspects of the making process by hand. Woolful truly celebrates this!

Ah, Brittany! My first wood needles, my first non-cheapy-small-town fibre-related purchase. I also impaled myself with a size 10 at the movie theatre.

I went to go see There Will Be Blood (ha. ha.) and brought my knitting because I am one of those get-there-early types. I sat down and felt a pinch. When I looked, there was my needle, at an odd angle. It had gone through a thin sweater and my t-shirt, and pierced my side – over my ribs near my back. In one spot, out an inch away. I must have flopped down pretty hard because they aren’t /that/ sharp, y’know? They went on to provide many years of service. I finished my first nice scarf with those. Sigh.

Have really enjoyed your podcasts- lots of fun stuff to daydream about today- island living and making cool tools. Brittany DPNs have a special place in my heart. I use the longer size 2s for hats and just treated myself to 2 sets to replace my 12 year old original set which had little nibbles on one from a teething kitten. Would love a chance to win some-thanks again!

It’s been such a long time since I worked with straight needles, but sometimes I really feel that I miss working with them.
Needles to say that these ones are absolutely beautiful. And they are even more precious to me, now that I know that they’re made in Lithuania.

I have exactly one set of Brittany DPNs… now that I’ve heard their story I’d love to have more! I had no idea it was even an American company, much less that it’s so small and interested in sustainability.

What an amazing episode – so inspiring! I’ve never come across Brittany needles (not available in my city!), but would love to try them. Thanks again for what you do, Ashley, and to your guests for sharing so much.

Have been following your instagram for a while now, and just started to listening to the podcast all the way from week one. I’m literally taking notes! : ) Would love a pair of needles as I’m just getting into the craft.

Wonderful to hear a whole new variety of maker on your podcast. I love the connections drawn between working with wool and so many other crafts and skills- woodworking, agriculture etc. It’s wonderful to see how people find their niche within a shared passion.

Emily and Tatyana have inspired me to save a corner for dye plants in my plot in the Greenwood, IN, community garden this year. I didn’t realize that some of the things I usually grow already ARE dye plants! Rudbekia!!

There is another, probably somewhat smaller, American maker of wood needles that you should explore – Indian Lake Artisans. I’m not affiliated with them in any way, but I have seen and admired their handcrafted needles.

I’m so excited to have found your podcast and website! I crochet, but am eager to learn how to knit as well. I’m also intrigued by dyeing and spinning. I have chronically cold hands and would love to use some Brittany needles and hooks.

This episode was amazing! Listened to it on daily walks with my infant – loved it so much. The interview approach you choose together with the questions paints such a wide and full picture of these people and their story. I can envision their lives and what inspires them on a day to day basis – and I never manage to get such a bright impression of context from other podcasts or “About” stories. Thank you!

I just recently discovered your blog and podcast, and I just want to say that I am thrilled! I plan on going back and listening to the archived podcasts.

I loved this episode, as I am always interested in sustainability and natural products. I am definitely going to look into both the Local Color Fiber Studio and Brittany Needles. (Wouldn’t mind winning a set of needles either! 🙂 )

Great podcast – as always! I have been listening from the start. I really love your interviewing style – just enough prompts to let your guests tell their amazing stories. As an Australian, I am also loving all of the Aussies on previous episodes.

The first pair of wooden needles I ever bought were Brittany’s. I got them from the tiny LYS in my college town along with fuzzy pink boucle yarn so I could knit on my flight home for Christmas. I don’t remember what happened to that pink scarf I made, but I still have those size 10 needles. They have a few kitty teeth marks in them but still hold up 8 years later.

I am a third generation Brittany fan. My grandmother fell in love with their lovely wooden needles years ago-she handed her Brittany knitting needles down to my mother-who handed them down to me! Love them!

I’m so glad to be introduced to some sustainable needles! I am adding Brittany needles to my wish list. I love the podcast and learn something new every time I listen! If you still are looking for “man on the street” I’d be besides myself to participate! 🙂

Brittany needles are my absolute favorite wooden straight needles. I teach knitting and this is the brand that I buy for my students. So to be the lucky winner of this give away would make me extra happy! And I really enjoyed the interviews this week. Especially the Brittany interview. My parents have a family run custom millwork business that has been running since 1878. So I have a deep appreciation and love for family run businesses. Well done once again!

LOVED listening, emily and tatyana are so inspiring! and brittany needles alive and well?! i was so happy and excited to hear this. they have been some of my favorite needles for years, but i’ve had a difficult time locating them the past few. i’m thrilled to hear chris is busy making(mendocino, eek!) and a link to order on etsy (i checked out their website and am following on ig now too). yes please i would LOVE to win!!

Thank you for your podcast, I LOVE it! You are very inspiring, I’m done wishing that I could live in a more rural area so I could raise my own fiber animals, and am now happy to make do with what I am blessed to already have around me, I am living the dream! Wonderful fiber friends, both online and in person, angora bunnies I use in my spinning and enough LYS in the area to fuel my passion for as long as I need! And congratulations to Brittany Needles for continuing an American tradition !

I swear by my Brittany cable needles, and they are my preferred DPNs. I like knowing the source of the wood, and the way the needles are made. I am 1/4 Lithuanian, so it’s extra special the wood is sourced there– u.s. Is great, but as it was said, small business is important everywhere!

This is the 4th podcast of yours that I have listened to. Thank you for providing a relaxing conversation with industry pros – it’s inspiring and relaxing after an intense office job, to just sit and knit and listen. Thank you for putting them out so frequently – it’s hard to keep up!

Thank you for helping us to get to know these people, through conversation. Knowing them is the first step, and following that is trust – and we consumers buy from those we trust. Brittany needles look beautiful, and as someone who works in process improvement, am excited about a company that puts that first with their needles. I would love the chance to win some!

Ah! I loved the Brittany interview-knowing the story behind this family business makes me feel even better about my growing collection of lovely Brittany needles! Also, my family and I are 2 1/2 years into our house build-great to get Chris’s encouraging thoughts on the timeline of DIY building in the grand scheme of things!

I’ve just finished listening to the podcast. It took me almost a week of on and off listening while working on my WIPs. What a joy it was! I really loved both stories, but most of all I can totally relate to summer/warm weather knitting. California doesn’t offer “classic” winter weather, but no matter what I keep knitting. And I don’t plan to stop.

Just a few weeks ago, i was feeling a little ashamed for wanting to knit more than anything else during my days….and just then my daughter in law told me about woolful and your podcasts. I listened to #10 and immediately felt validated and purposeful! I was and am so tickled and thankful! This week’s was also excellent as I love Brittany needles and appreciate hearing their story. Thank you so very much!!!!!!

Thank you, Ashley, for putting so much work into this beautiful podcast. It’s so thoughtfully put together and I look forward to every episode. I love to listen to the relaxing conversation during my daughter’s nap with knitting in my lap. I’m so glad to hear about these needles and can’t wait to try them whether I win or not! 🙂

Loved this podcast! And it was perfect because I listened to it on my way to Tolt Yarn & Wool for the Local Color Fiber Studio trunk show. It made my experience with the actual yarns that much richer to know so much about the dyers and their process. Thank you!

Great podcast! I use Brittany DPNs for sock knitting and would love to try their new wax. I’ve been changing from metal to wood needles in the past couple years and they are kinder to the hands. I’d love to hear an interview with Tom and Linda Diak of Dyakcraft, formerly Grafton Fibers. They make gorgeous wooden needles. I have a set of 5″ interchangeables and have been waiting over a year for a set of 3 1/2″ interchangeables. And their DPNs are as smooth as silk.

Each week’s podcast just keeps getting better and better! Loved listening to both guests, and will definitely keep your knitting advice in mind, Ashley. I’m newish to knitting and just finally conquered sock knitting, hoping to tackle a sweater in the near future 🙂

I just finished pod cast 12 and throughly enjoyed it. I heard about Ben from Clara Parks and have enjoyed following his work on instagram. Life on the farm is inspiring and I look forward to the next lambing in March!

Have enjoyed ever one of your podcast, this one especially. Maybe in the future you could interview the owner of your favorite yarn stores. I appreciate all the work that goes into the podcast. Lovely yarn and needles!

Just found your podcast, it is really great. I so enjoy the conversations with the people in the fiber world. I’m looking forward to each new episode. Thank you for the work you are doing and introducing me to new products.

Wonderful as always. So loved listening to Annie Clair and Benjamin. His yarn looks amazing and well.. I learned to knit on double points with Brittany needles – the needles that started me on to the path I am on now. Thanks for the inspiration!

[…] Made by an environmentally-minded company from sustainably harvested birch, these needles come with an amazing story of a very hardworking family – Chris and Michri. It definitely shows that the needles were […]